Asian sales representative files racial discrimination lawsuit

An Asian sales representative has filed a lawsuit against New York company claiming that he was discriminated against which ultimately resulted in his resignation. 

Ricardo Roland filed suit against Canon Solutions America Inc. on April 30 in the Eastern District of Texas, Beaumont Division.

According to the lawsuit, Roland is of Chinese and Indian national origins. He was hired as an office machine repairman by the Better Business Machines Inc., the predecessor to defendant’s Beaumont operations, in 1995. He was promoted to the position of sales representative in 2001.

Although Roland claims he was the No. 1 ranked sales representative in Beaumont and 16th in the country, he alleges that white sales representatives were paid twice as much.

He also claims that he was denied sales territories that were reserved for white employees.  Roland discussed the discrimination with human resources, but the discrimination worsened.

The defendant is accused of intentionally discriminating against Roland because of his national origin and race in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and for retaliation against Roland because he opposed an unlawful practice.

The plaintiff is seeking an award of damages for back pay, front pay, compensatory damages for emotional pain and suffering, inconvenience, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life, exemplary damages, attorney fees and court costs.

Roland is represented by Kenneth W. Lewis and Stephen L. Townsend of Bush Lewis PLLC in Beaumont. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Ron Clark is assigned to the case.

Case No. 1:13-cv-00259